The End of the Immortal Path-Chapter 36 - 35: Does My Top Rank Need Your Proof?
Challenging the person in first place was nothing new.
Just because someone had the highest score didn’t mean they were the best in actual combat.
So, to ensure the top rank was truly deserved,
the number one student in every courtyard could be challenged.
It was just that challenges were rare.
Luo Xuan had been first for so long, yet Fang Yong, the one in second, had never challenged her.
If Fang Yong didn’t make a move, the others were even less likely to issue a challenge.
They couldn’t afford to lose face.
Yet Jiang Man had just reached the top, and while others were still looking up in awe, the former number three had the gall to step forward and challenge him.
This was, in essence, a humiliation for the number one student.
After all, even the person in second place had remained silent.
At this moment, everyone else was paying close attention to the situation.
In the past, no one would have paid much attention to whether Jiang Man was challenged.
But times had changed.
He was the strongest person in the Sixth Courtyard.
A genius who commanded everyone’s attention just by standing there.
Now that someone was going to challenge such a genius, who wouldn’t be curious and pay attention?
Even Luo Xuan and Fang Yong, who were always focused on their Cultivation, couldn’t help but glance over.
Before, they would have scoffed; now, they listened intently.
This was the profound change that came with being number one.
However, he was faced with Chang Qiweng’s challenge—and a private one at that.
Jiang Man was confused.
"A private challenge lets the loser save face, but it could also lead to serious injuries," Xiaopang explained.
"Can I refuse?" Jiang Man asked.
’Why should I have to fight him?’
’Just because he questions me, I have to get caught in a whirlwind of proving myself?’
’First place is first place. Do I need their approval?’
’If they don’t accept it, they can go find Mr. Zhao and have him explain what "first place" really means.’
’Have him explain whether my rank is inflated.’
’A challenge?’
’It’s just asking for trouble. Why does the number one need to prove anything?’
’If I need to prove it, then what’s the point of the scores?’
"You can, but most people would agree," Xiaopang explained from the side. "Besides proving the worth of your first-place title..."
"...the challenger also has to pay a challenge fee."
"A public challenge is five hundred Spiritual Source."
"A private one is a thousand Spiritual Source."
Hearing this, before Xiaopang could continue, Jiang Man stepped forward, bowed politely to Chang Qiweng, and said, "I accept your challenge."
’To be number one, you have to have a certain generosity of spirit.’
’You have to be magnanimous and give others a chance.’
’Without an all-embracing spirit, how could one stand at the peak of the courtyard?’
’How could one truly be number one?’
Chang Qiweng was rather surprised, not expecting Jiang Man to agree so readily. He immediately held out a pouch and said, "Here is one thousand Spiritual Source. When are you free?"
"Tonight should be fine," Jiang Man said.
The two didn’t arrange a location.
Instead, Jiang Man told Chang Qiweng to find him.
Since it was a private matter, they naturally didn’t want an audience.
After Chang Qiweng left, Jiang Man looked toward Luo Xuan and the others.
Luo Xuan gave a slight nod and resumed her Cultivation. Fang Yong let out a cold snort and also began to cultivate.
Cheng Yu offered a small smile and went back to her own business.
All of them were at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
Only they were qualified to challenge him.
’Too bad only Chang Qiweng challenged me.’
"I thought you were going to refuse," Xiaopang said, mulling it over. "Are you confident you can win?"
He knew that Jiang Man barely practiced any Magic Skills.
Despite his high Cultivation, his practical combat skills were somewhat average.
Beating Song Qing was no problem, but fighting the top four was a different story.
Jiang Man simply smiled without a word.
The meaning was clear: he was full of confidence.
Nevertheless, Xiaopang reminded Jiang Man to be careful. If he was seriously injured and couldn’t participate in the next assessment, he would completely miss his chance to compete for a spot.
Without a doubt, Jiang Man was aiming for that spot.
Xiaopang found it hard to believe. Just a few months ago, this was the guy who was at the bottom of the ranks with him, and now he had inexplicably shot to first place.
The final outcome was still undecided, and there were countless dark horses.
’Too bad I’m not one of them.’
"Is the number one student here today?" Fu Yidan asked as she entered.
Jiang Man immediately responded.
Fu Yidan looked at Jiang Man, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
Jiang Man...
For years, he had worn coarse linen clothes, reeking either of sweat or the sour stench of the stables.
She had imagined others might strive to climb the ranks.
But she had never thought Jiang Man could reach the top in a single leap.
He still wore coarse linen, but the stench was gone.
Not only that, but just by standing there, he seemed to radiate a brilliant light.
This was the effect of being number one.
Finally, she said calmly, "Stand in the first row."
Once Jiang Man was in position, she continued, "You have obtained and studied few Magic Skills. This month, you need to focus more on them."
Jiang Man nodded to show he understood.
’I really didn’t have the time before.’
’Now, I just need to fill up the sixth "Gourd."’
’And reach the peak state of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.’
’Then I can learn some Magic Skills.’
’With the Magic Skill Innate Qi, it shouldn’t be too difficult to learn.’
’I just need to figure out what to learn.’
This time, Fu Yidan was explaining the "Three Talents Force."
She had originally planned to cover the "Dragon Suppression Skill," but because Jiang Man only knew the "Six Harmonies Palm" and the "Three Talents Force," she chose the latter.
This was a privilege granted to the number one student.
And this was just for being first in the courtyard. If he were first in the entire Cyan Cloud Pavilion...
...then the whole Cyan Cloud Pavilion’s curriculum would be tailored to him.
After the explanation came sparring practice.
This time, Jiang Man’s sparring partner was the number two student, Luo Xuan.
’Even if I spend all my remaining time improving the Three Talents Force, I’ll only reach the Fifth Layer at most.’
’And her Three Talents Force is almost certainly at the Ninth Layer.’
’I’m really no match for her.’
’Not unless I use my full strength, combined with the Divine Step and the Six Harmonies Palm.’
’Otherwise, I have no chance of winning.’
The Three Talents Force was all about channeling power. The Third Layer channeled a single force, while the Ninth Layer channeled all Three Forces. Before the Sixth Layer, it was an overt force; after the Sixth Layer, it became a Hidden Force.
Therefore, his Fifth Layer against her Ninth Layer...
...was like an egg striking a stone.
Not only could the Hidden Force easily break through the overt force covering one’s hands, but it could also severely damage internal organs.
So even just sparring with this skill was very risky.
"Don’t worry," Luo Xuan said calmly, looking at Jiang Man. "I’ll match your Realm for our sparring session."
Luo Xuan had no intention of bullying him.
For her, there was no need.
Jiang Man was a bit surprised.
’Is this young lady really so reasonable?’
’Doesn’t she feel resentful?’
’After all, just a short while ago, she hired me as a sparring partner, and now I’ve surpassed her.’
’Such a gap in Cultivation could throw anyone’s state of mind off balance.’
’It would be perfectly understandable if she tried to pull a fast one.’
But since she had said as much, he no longer hesitated.
After Jiang Man cultivated for an hour, he successfully reached the Fifth Layer.
The rest of the time was spent sparring.
The movements of the Three Talents Force weren’t intense, but every exchange involved a powerful collision of force.
This allowed Jiang Man to gain insight much faster.
His improvement was also more rapid.
’Compared to sparring with Song Qing, you really do improve more with a stronger partner.’
However, Jiang Man remained constantly on guard against any dirty tricks.
Fortunately, by the time their sparring ended, she hadn’t tried anything of the sort.
She simply gave him a polite bow and went back to her own Cultivation.
’What a true lady.’
Jiang Man couldn’t help but marvel, ’Her upbringing is impeccable.’
Over on their side, Fang Yong and Cheng Yu were fighting much more intensely.
Both were at the Ninth Layer of the Three Talents Force, and they were genuinely gaining practical combat experience.
The afternoon was dedicated to Cultivation.
As always, Jiang Man focused his full attention on his Cultivation, primarily on the Three Talents Force.
He stood in the first position, and everyone’s eyes were on him.
As long as he didn’t leave, the others could only continue practicing alongside him.
It would have been one thing if he acted this way when he was in last place, but to still be this diligent after becoming number one...
He wasn’t giving anyone else a break.
Xiaopang was miserable. Because Luo Xuan had been pushed out of first place,
she couldn’t possibly be the first to leave. How could she leave if the number one person hadn’t?
As a result, everyone ended up cultivating even later than usual.
When Jiang Man finally finished, Luo Xuan asked curiously, "How late do you usually cultivate?"
Jiang Man looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Luo Xuan clarified, "At night, how late do you cultivate?"
"Until dawn," Jiang Man replied.
Luo Xuan was stunned. "Until dawn? You don’t rest?"
"Am I supposed to rest?" Jiang Man asked back.
Luo Xuan frowned. "Shouldn’t you?"
"You’re all so young. How can you possibly sleep?" Jiang Man retorted before leaving the courtyard.
He left everyone standing there, utterly dumbfounded.
